POLYURETHANE AND ABS

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene​, or ​ABS​, (chemical formula (C8H8· C4H6·C3H3N)x) is a common

thermoplastic used to make light, rigid, molded products such as pipes, golf club heads (used for its good
shock absorbance), automotive body parts, wheel covers, enclosures, protective head gear, and toys
including LEGO bricks. It is a copolymer made by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence
of polybutadiene. The proportions can vary from 15% to 35% acrylonitrile, 5% to 30% butadiene and
40% to 60% styrene. The result is a long chain of polybutadiene criss-crossed with shorter chains of
poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile). The nitrile groups from neighbouring chains, being polar, attract each other
and bind the chains together, making ABS stronger than pure polystyrene. The styrene gives the plastic a
shiny, impervious surface. The butadiene, a rubbery substance, provides resilience even at low
temperatures. ABS can be used between −25 °C and 60 °C.

ABS is derived from acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. Where acrylonitrile are synthetic monomers
produced from propylene and ammonia; butadiene is a petroleum hydrocarbon obtained from butane; and
styrene monomers, derived from coal, are commercially obtained from benzene and ethylene from coal.
The advantage of ABS is that this material combines the strength and rigidity of the acrylonitrile and
styrene polymers with the toughness of the polybutadiene rubber. The most amazing mechanical
properties of ABS are resistance and toughness. A variety of modifications can be made to improve
impact resistance, toughness, and heat resistance. The impact resistance can be amplified by increasing
the proportions of polybutadiene in relation to styrene and acrylonitrile although this causes changes in
other properties. Impact resistance does not fall off rapidly at lower temperatures. Stability under load is
excellent with limited loads.

Even though ABS plastics are used largely for mechanical purposes, they also have good electrical
properties that are fairly constant over a wide range of frequencies. These properties are little affected by
temperature and atmospheric humidity in the acceptable operating range of temperatures. The final
properties will be influenced to some extent by the conditions under which the material is processed to the
final product; for example, molding at a high temperature improves the gloss and heat resistance of the
product whereas the highest impact resistance and strength are obtained by molding at low temperature.

ABS polymers are resistant to aqueous acids, alkalis, concentrated hydrochloric and phosphoric acids,
alcohols and animal, vegetable and mineral oils, but they are swollen by glacial acetic acid, carbon
tetrachloride and aromatic hydrocarbons and are attacked by concentrated sulfuric and nitric acids. They
are soluble in esters, ketones and ethylene dichloride.

The aging characteristics of the polymers are largely influenced by the polybutadiene content, and it is
normal to include antioxidants in the composition. On the other hand, the cost of producing ABS is
roughly twice the cost of producing polystyrene, ABS is considered superior for its hardness, gloss,
toughness, and electrical insulation properties. However, it will be degraded when exposed to acetone.
Polyurethane is a thermoset material, meaning that it also has long polymer chains, but they are cross
linked. This means that it takes a chemical reaction to process the material, and once the part is formed, it
cannot be melted down and reused. It will instead burn if heated. Other thermosets include resins used for
fiberglass, bondo, or even two part paints used in auto body. Polyurethane is not the same thing, but the
chemical process is similar.

For suspension bushings, bumpers, and other parts where taking sustained impacts without significant
damage is important, Polyurethane is a much better material. Especially for things like bushings, where
friction is constant, heat can build up, and ABS would melt. Polyurethane is much more resistant to heat
(before degradation occurs) and much more resistant to impacts but it costs more.